The IDF’s New Machine Gun: A Major Boost to Infantry Independence and Lethality
The introduction of a SIG Sauer .338-caliber machine gun into the IDF marks a rare and dramatic step in infantry weaponry—offering greater range, higher accuracy, reduced weight, and advanced capabilities
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| Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit |
In the defense establishment, a rare—almost historic—decision was recently made to introduce into the IDF a new family of machine guns, manufactured by SIG Sauer, chambered in .338 caliber. This is an exceptionally rare step, since the introduction of a new machine gun family into the IDF occurs only once every three decades or so.
The last time was in the late 1990s, when the Negev 5 was adopted, followed later by an upgraded version, the Negev 7. Since the 1990s, no new family of machine guns has entered IDF service.
The new machine gun is not intended to replace the MAG, one of the most iconic weapons of the Israeli infantry. As Elad, a training commander in the Ground Forces’ shooting division, explains: “I want to be clear—we are not replacing the MAG. It is a reliable, veteran, and excellent weapon. Our goal is to add another layer to the platoon’s capabilities, to give fighters an additional level of accurate and lethal covering fire, thereby improving their independence in the field.”
Over the years, infantry gradually lost the ability to deploy a mobile medium machine gun that allows long-range combat. As a result, dependence increased on APC-mounted firepower or other external means. The introduction of a machine gun chambered in .338 Norma is meant to restore to maneuvering infantry—the foot soldiers—the ability to provide themselves with lethal, precise covering fire.
Operational Advantages
The new machine gun brings with it several significant advantages. First, it is much lighter than previous heavy machine guns, allowing soldiers to move with it more easily even in dense or urban terrain. Second, thanks to its unique .338 Norma ammunition, it can reach ranges of 800 to 1,000 meters with extremely high accuracy. Soldiers who tested it on the battlefield in Gaza reported that its accuracy even surpasses that of designated marksmen and sometimes snipers. Elad describes: “Fighters who used the new machine gun in Gaza told me—it’s more accurate than our marksmen’s rifles, and sometimes even than the snipers’. This is a weapon that makes a difference.”
In addition, the machine gun is equipped with advanced optics, including telescopic sights with at least 6x magnification and the ability to observe and fire at night. This makes it more than just a machine gun—it is a complete weapon system that also grants the soldier enhanced observation capability. In terms of comfort and deployment, there has also been a major upgrade, with a lighter, sturdier tripod that enables quick and stable setup. A built-in suppressor was also added, reducing firing noise and gas dispersion, making it harder for the enemy to locate the source of fire and protecting soldiers’ hearing.
A Shift in Thinking and Logistical Aspects
Beyond the physical advantages, the introduction of the new machine gun brings with it a conceptual shift. Soldiers are not only learning how to operate it, but also how to tactically exploit its advantages: controlling elevated terrain, delivering precise long-range fire, and providing effective cover for any maneuvering unit. Elad stresses that the weapon forces both fighters and commanders to think differently: “I tell the soldiers—don’t just look at the building in front of you. Look for dominant terrain, positions from which you can provide covering fire at 800 meters and beyond. This is a weapon that doubles your range and changes combat thinking.”
Logistically, introducing the machine gun presents a considerable challenge. It is a “multi-caliber” weapon capable of firing 7.62mm, but its true strength lies in the unique .338 Norma round, produced specifically for it. This means building an entirely new supply, maintenance, and storage system to ensure steady availability of ammunition and spare parts.
In terms of training, there is also an advantage. The transition to the new machine gun takes place over a relatively short period. However, the main difference lies in the accompanying equipment and in the concept of use. Soldiers learn to exploit its extended range and accuracy to generate combat superiority on the battlefield, with far greater operational independence than they had in the past.
A Rare Step
The introduction of the new machine gun is an extremely rare event in the IDF, the first time in 30 years that an entirely new machine gun family—not just an upgrade—has entered service. It stems both from technological advances—the emergence of the .338 Norma cartridge, advanced optics, and new night systems—and from accumulated lessons learned from fighting in Lebanon and Gaza.
Ultimately, this move gives infantry platoons a clear operational advantage. The new machine gun makes the foot soldier more independent, more lethal, and more capable of influencing the course of battle without relying on external cover. No longer dependent only on APCs or distant fire support—the platoon itself can now generate fire superiority on the battlefield.
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